New development adds to growing Innovation Boulevard

WestStone Properties, the company behind the master-planned Urban Village development west of City Hall, is expanding south with a new development proposal for the growing medical district known as Innovation Boulevard.

Located near the southwest corner of 96 Ave and King George, WestStone is proposing a three building multi-use complex focused on health and wellness. The western half of the land will see two, six-storey apartment buildings, proposed for independent seniors rentals. On the eastern half, a twelve-storey building will feature ground retail, eight floors of medial office space, and four floors for long-term seniors care.

The proposal is designed for LEED Gold and includes the protection of a stream on the north end of the property. It will replace an existing trailer park.

UPDATE: As of the June 15, 2015 Council meeting, the proposal was sent back to staff due to concerns about displacement of the 100 residents of the current trailer park.

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June 19, 2015

Freed

Help Save Our Homes!

There will be a rally in support of homeowners at Park Mobile in front of SURREY CITY HALL on Monday, June 29th! 5pm at 13450 – 104 Ave., Surrey, BC

This community includes primarily disabled, the elderly and families on a fixed income. A redevelopment proposal is before the planning committee, and is being fast tracked by City of Surrey. We need bodies, attention and help! There is a strong indication the city is intending to approve this development at first and second reading at the next council meeting to fast track its “Innovation Blvd” goals…the homes in the park at 9525 King George Blvd. are owned by taxpayers.

These homeowners are facing the risk of losing their life investment, and many could be left homeless. There are no adequate manufactured home bylaws in Surrey despite over ten years of lobbying. In reality, the financial loss these homeowners face is $80,000 – $100,000, in today’s market given the location of this park. Most homes cannot be moved for a variety of reasons.

The location of Park Mobile is ideal for the needs of it’s residents. These homeowners purchased in this park for that reason. Residents of Park Mobile will lose the convenient access to medical help currently within walking distance. Most here are disabled, elderly, single women, or have small children and feel comfort with the hospital across the street. Additionally, with transit hubs close to the park, these individuals gain the independence to fulfill their daily activities. Losing their home in this location will mean they will lose their independence.

Park Mobile has created a unique tight-knit community, where residents look out for one another. The park is home to many multi-generational families, where grandparents live close to their children and have the opportunity to help raise their grandchildren. Conversely, adult children feel comfort in living close to their aging parents. This proposal will force many families to separate from their loved ones also living in the park & within very close proximities of Park Mobile.

The community at Park Mobile has been misinformed and excluded from transparent negotiations, and the people in the park are left feeling uncertain, devastated and demoralized. Many individuals residing at Park Mobile have disabilities that have left them unable to work. Additionally, homes with businesses attached to the address will be burdened with relocation expenses and a number of uncertainties with no compensation.

Park Mobile has become a target in the City’s plan to expand development of their new “Innovation Boulevard” along King George. Weststone Group has put forth the proposal to redevelop Park Mobile at the expense of Surrey’s most vulnerable homeowners. If this continues, thousands of manufactured homeowners along King George will face similar devastation in the future.

Without proper policy to protect manufactured homeowners and their investments, these homes are at the whim of the developers which in this case seem by all indications to have full support of the city.

Since 2005, SMHOA has been urging the City of Surrey to create a policy that protects manufactured home owners if their park should be redeveloped. Nothing was done despite recommendations from City staff to adopt policy comparable to one from Coquitlam. We are again facing the same situation we had in 2006 when Seacrest Residents fought hard to keep their homes and stop the redevelopment of their mobile park.

There is a lengthy documented history since 1974 regarding creek overflow and indications that errors by city engineering is at fault for a lot of it, along with previous land owners. No damages have ever been addressed by current or former landlords. The fast track of the development could be an attempt to avoid these issues.

Due to the salmon bearing creeks that run throughout the park, all residents were lead to believe that no future development would occur. Therefore, the homeowners of Park Mobile have spent considerable amounts of money renovating their homes with the intention to live here long-term. Now, due to this development proposal, they face the risk of losing their investment, their home and their way of life.

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The residents of Park Mobile canvassed the entire mobile court to identify the individuals residing on the grounds. Of the 30 homes that participated in the survey, 42 homeowners spoke up about how this proposal will affect their lives. It was found that the average age of respondents was roughly 56 years of age, with homeowners ranging from 25 years of age up to 83 years of age. 12 of the houses had either one or more child/grandchild residing in the residence. And approximately 26 of the 30 participating houses were on a fixed income (disability or pension). The demographics of Park Mobile indicate how vulnerable these individuals are to this proposal…

“As I am blind I don’t give up my guide dogs as they retire. No other parks accept large dogs. I would also have to retrain my current dog. I have become accustomed to my surroundings here. The stress of not knowing after working my life toward gaining some control of our future…I’m worried sick.” – Chris, legally blind 15 year homeowner at Park

“Just went through this at another place…lost everything and we were just starting to recover now. My husband has disabling health issues and I work nearby. Everything near here is important, hospital, skytrain, shopping, doctors. Losing financially and location and a move itself is very stressful! We planned to stay here and retire. It’s…insurmountable. No words. It’s devastating to us both, but to my husband especially.”
-Bea & George, 3 year homeowners at Park

“I am a 42 year old single mom with 2 kids and I have cerebral palsy. This has been devastating to me.” -Tina, 7 year homeowner at Park (Due to Her conditions she Is unable to comment to media)
“I love my home and planned to spend the rest of my years here. Where am I going to go? I never thought I’d ever be kicked out of my own home. I am weak, shaking, sick…how can someone do this to me? I’m going to be homeless at 83 years old? I will be left with nothing if I don’t at least get the value of my home”
– Patricia, 83, 23 year homeowner at Park

“I am devastated, lost, emotionally drained…there’s nowhere to go! The value offered will not enable me to move forward in the same condition. It’s like a Mac truck hitting you in the face. Like getting hit by a freight train, problem is you have no control. My mother lives in another home here and where will she be without my help? It is just not fair.” – Laurie, 20 year homeowner at Park

“With a yard and 1,100 sq ft living space…we will never, on our PWD cheque, find anything close or even be able to afford a new place! We feel betrayed as we bought with these years in mind. Patricia is suffering major depression…and all of this is taking its toll on our health.”
– Patricia and Ben, disabled 14 year homeowners at Park

“Where am I going to go? I only receive $900 on disability. There is no affordable housing like what I have. My friends, dog, yard, gardening has kept me going. I use a walker and all of my family lives within a block of here” -Morris, 64, 10 year homeowner at Park

“We bought here to save money in hopes of making a better life for our children. This is pushing us backward from our life goals. Lots of high emotions causing stress on the family. It’s even affecting our work. We will be losing the comfortable and trusting environment for our children. Hard trying to find something solid we can hold on to. Family, daycare, school, community, friends, work, privacy, yard, space…where else will we find this?” -Kyla & Ryan, 4 year homeowners at Park

“This could mean utter disaster. It’s impossible to find affordable housing on a disability. The feelings of safety in this community have really helped me emotionally. I fear stress will cause my cancer to reoccur and pre demolition work is effecting my breathing. I also question the speed of this process…it’s seems money has expressed the pace and overruled protocol.” – Brandee, one year Tenant at Park